About the foundation

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation was created in 1955 by Charles Glass Greenshields, Q.C., a distinguished Montreal lawyer and amateur artist, in memory of his mother, Elizabeth.

Mr. Greenshields considered discipline and serious training in the traditional means of artistic expression fundamental to the growth and development of the artist. Through his involvement with the artistic community, he saw how difficult it was for artists to obtain the financial support required to pursue their training. His determination to help emerging artists prompted Greenshields to establish a foundation dedicated to contributing to the development of artists of genuine distinction in their particular fields.

Charles Greenshields personally directed the Foundation that he created for the first 13 years of its existence and remained active in its organization until his death, in 1974. His vision and his mission live on through the foundation that he so generously endowed.

Mr. Greenshields wished to help and encourage serious art students, artists and sculptors who recognize that there is no short cut to competence and who evince a willingness to do the hard work and subject themselves to the discipline required for the mastery of their craft. He was also convinced that the mastery of their craft first required them to master the traditional means of artistic expression. As a result, he directed that the funds of the Foundation be used to help talented individuals in their formative years, to acquire the necessary training, skills and competence in the traditional artistic methods, specifically excluding all grants to students, artists or sculptors “who show clearly a disposition to use the purely abstract or non-objective method in their work.”

The philosophy outlined by Mr. Greenshields in his endowment has informed the mission of the Foundation over the previous 60 years and it continues to do so to this day.

The mission of the Foundation is to promote and encourage the acquisition and development by students and artists of the necessary training, skills and competence in the traditional means of artistic expression. The Foundation provides financial assistance, by way of grants, to students and artists in the early or developmental stage of their career who work in a representational style of painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking and demonstrate a commitment to making their art a lifetime career. The Foundation does not provide funding for the pursuit of abstract or non-objective art.

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant is one of the most prestigious grants available to emerging figurative artists, as well as one of the most substantial. It is one of the longest standing, with an illustrious history of recipients spanning more than half a century. It is also unique in its scope, in that it is available to students and artists around the world.

To date, the Foundation has provided financial assistance to some 1800 students and artists in 40 countries. Its grantees are renowned artists, both nationally and internationally, as well as highly respected art professors, teachers and mentors. The Foundation is extremely proud of its grantees and of their accomplishments. A selection of the works of some of the Foundation’s previous grantees can be found in the Gallery.

First grants are in the amount of CAD $15,000 each. Subsequent grants are in the amount of CAD $18,000 each. Grants are made directly to the beneficiaries, not through other organizations. The Foundation reserves the right to award grants in other amounts and to disburse funds in whole or in part, as it deems advisable. Grantees may not receive more than three grants in their lifetime.

Grants are awarded based solely on the information contained in the Application Form and the supporting documentation and material submitted with it. The Foundation does not conduct personal interviews. The decision of the Foundation is final and is not subject to review or appeal.

“The generous support of The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation has allowed me a year of focus, self-discipline, and creativity as I continue to explore my practice in the Masters of Fine Arts program at the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. Your grant will allow me to continue to fund my artistic development in ways that would otherwise have been impossible.”

— Elizabeth (Liz) Toohey-Wiese (2013 / 2014 Grantee)

“…The support I received from The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation was fundamental early in my career as a painter. I couldn't have got my early shows done without the financial assistance of the Foundation. I was able to concentrate 100% on my paintings rather than constantly worry about finding the money to be able to paint for the exhibitions I'd been offered.”

— Jenny Saville (1993 / 1996 Grantee)

“…Can I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. The award allowed me to paint solidly, intensely and without interruption for over two years after leaving Oxford. That period kick-started my career in a way that I have never forgotten.”

— Sarah Gillespie (1985 Grantee)

“Receiving your grant has enabled me to meet, befriend and learn from the largest living influence on my work. The grant has also allowed me to gain publicity, meet the family of another enormous influence, travel the world, and, of course, make many more paintings than I would have been able to without the Foundation’s generosity and kindness. I am forever indebted to you. The past year has felt like a dream. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude."

— Matthew Adelberg (2013 Grantee)

“I am deeply grateful for the support of The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation and am overjoyed to report the tremendous impact it has had on my artistic career over the past year. I have met or exceeded all of the goals I set for myself during this funding period. I have created a large body of work that represents a new phase in my artistic output. This work has also garnered the type of attention that means that the audience for my work has grown substantially, and will continue to grow in the future.”

— Kristy Gordon (2009 / 2013 / 2015 Grantee)

Gallery

The Gallery features a selection of the works of some of the grantees of the Foundation.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in the early or developmental stage of their career, work in a representational style of painting, drawing, sculpting or printmaking and demonstrate a commitment to making their art a lifetime career. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting their application.

The Foundation welcomes applications throughout the year; there is no deadline for filing an application.

Grantees who have complied with the terms and conditions of a grant previously awarded to them by the Foundation may apply for a second or third grant one year after the award of their previous grant. Applicants who have previously applied for, but not received, a grant may reapply after two years.

Only those applicants who work in a representational style of painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking will be considered. The Foundation does not accept applications from commercial artists, graphic designers and illustrators; photographers; cartoonists; animation artists; video artists, filmmakers and digital artists; craft-makers; artists who work in the decorative arts; or any artist whose work falls primarily into these categories. The Foundation does not provide funding for the pursuit of abstract or non-objective art.

The Foundation has no geographic or residency requirements, grants are available to eligible applicants from around the world.

How to apply

Applications must be completed online, then printed, dated and signed by the applicant, and submitted by mail. Applicants may not submit applications by fax, email, internet or other electronic means.

All information, supporting documentation and material required in the Application Form must be provided. Incomplete, unsigned or undated applications will not be considered.

The documents required include:

Proof of identity
A copy of an official photograph attesting to the identity, date of birth and address of the applicant (driver’s license, citizenship card, passport photo, student ID, etc.).

Proof of acceptance
If the applicant is applying for a grant to further his or her art education or training, a letter or other proof of acceptance from the school, university or other institution where the applicant intends to study or train confirming his or her acceptance, by name, to the selected program of studies or training for the period or academic year(s) specified.

Artistic Proposal
A detailed description of the proposed work, project or course of study or training that the applicant intends to undertake with a grant from The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, explaining its significance to the advancement of the applicant’s artistic practice.

Artist Statement
A brief artist statement relating to the applicant's previous and current work.

Budget
A detailed budget for the proposed work, project, course of study or training described in the applicant’s Artistic Proposal. Please refer to "Use of Funds" in the Instructions that accompany the Application Form for detailed information on the purposes for which grants may be used.

Portfolio
Images of six representative original works (no more or less) produced by the applicant alone in the last two years, on a USB key or a PC-compatible CD. Works submitted with each application, whether an application for a second or third grant, or a new application by an applicant whose previous application has been rejected, must be different from the works submitted by the applicant with any previous application(s). Images must be submitted in the required format (see the “Format of Images” section in the Instructions that accompany the Application Form). Material that is not formatted correctly will not be considered. The USB key or CD and the application must be submitted together, not under separate cover. USB keys or CDs submitted to the Foundation will not be returned.

Letter of reference
A signed letter of reference from a teacher or professor, an artist or a gallery, museum or exhibition curator who is known to the applicant and able to support his or her application.

Exhibition and press materials
Copies of invitations, reviews, announcements, press clippings or press releases and other written material relating to any exhibitions or shows of the applicant’s work.

All documents and material must be submitted in French or in English. Documents or material in another language must be provided to the Foundation in their original language, along with a French or English translation.

Apply now

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS – SUSPENSION OF APPLICATION PROCESS

It is not possible to apply for a grant at this time.

The application process is suspended pending the launch of a new online application form this fall (exact date to be announced).

Applicants may no longer access or use the application form previously available on our website. Applications submitted on this form must be received by August 6, 2018 to be considered.

Please refer to our website for further updates or email us at info@greenshieldsfoundation.ca with any questions.

News from our Grantees

Kate Downie (UK, 1983 / 1986) is part of the Modern Masters VIII exhibition being held at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh from August 2 to September 1, 2018.

Lauren Litwa (USA, 1992) is exhibiting in Colours of Summer, a group show at Square Pear Gallery in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania throughout the month of August.

Emil Robinson (USA, 2007) is part of a two-person exhibition at Harpy Gallery in Rutherford, New Jersey from July 21 to August 18, 2018.

The End Of The Chase, Nicholas Crombach’s (Canada, 2016) exhibition which opened in May 2018 at New Art Projects in London (UK) will be re-presented at Art Mûr's Berlin gallery, from August 10 to September 15, 2018.

Aleah Chapin (USA, 2012 / 2014) is exhibiting in Reclamation, a show featuring nationally acclaimed, contemporary figurative women artists painting women from their perspective and experience, which is being held at the Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, Vermont from June 15 to September 8, 2018.

Congratulations to Stephanie Hier (Canada, 2018) and Joani Tremblay (Canada, 2018) who were selected as two of the 15 finalists from among 500 submissions for the 20th annual RBC Canadian Painting Competition. The winner of the Competition will be announced on September 18.

Alvin Ong (Singapore, 2016) has received the Chadwell Award. This award provides a bridge between art school and practice as a professional artist by giving a recent Fine Art MA graduate a free studio in Bow, London for a year, together with a bursary of £1,000. In addition, there is a discretionary purchase grant of up to £4,000 to buy a work from the award holder at their end-of-award show.

Matthew Brackett (USA, 2006) is part of the Environmental Textures group show at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts from June 10 to September 28, 2018.

Continuing our proud tradition in this prestigious competition, we congratulate our three grantees who were among the 50 finalists shortlisted for the 2018 BP Portrait Prize, Alvin Ong (Singapore, 2016), Meghan Cox (USA, 2006 / 2008) and Conor Walton (Ireland, 1994). The finalists were selected from among 2,667 entries received from 88 countries. The exhibition is on view at the National Portrait Gallery in London (UK) from June 14 to September 23, 2018.

Jenny Day(USA, 2018) has three upcoming exhibitions: the Contemporary Forum Award Exhibition, a four-person show at the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona from May 23 to November 14, 2018; Our Shared Disaster, a solo exhibition at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 2 to July 14, 2018; and From Underfoot: Breaking Through Surface and Ground, a group exhibition at Blue Star Contemporary, San Antonio, Texas from June 7 to September 2, 2018.

Nidhal Chamekh (Tunisia / France, 2012 / 2016) is participating in three upcoming group exhibitions: The Sea is the Limit, at York Art Gallery, York (UK) from May 4 to September 2, 2018; A Slice through the World, Contemporary Artists’ Drawings, at Modern Art Oxford, Oxford (UK) from June 16 to September 9, 2018; and Memory Matters, at Skissermas Museum in Lund, Sweden from October 4, 2018 to February 17, 2019.

The third instalment of NOW at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) in Edinburgh, Scotland will feature a major survey of works by Jenny Saville (UK, 1993 / 1996) spanning some 25 years of the artist’s career. The exhibition will run from March 24 to September 16, 2018. Jenny is also exhibited in All Too Human-Bacon, Freud and a Century of Painting Life at Tate Britain, London, until August 27, 2018. The exhibition is described as “a landmark exhibition [celebrating] how artists have captured the intense experience of life in paint and [showcasing] around 100 works by some of the most celebrated modern British artists.”